Hello and welcome! We are the 2020 Auburn Theatre Events Management class! This semester, we decided to host a virtual Mental Health Awareness Festival, to provide support to our peers in these difficult times. Over the course of four days, we will offer a wide variety of crafting, exercise, mindfulness, and conversation in an effort to teach healthy habits and start a healthy conversation concerning mental wellness! Our event is free and open to anyone who would like to participate. For a full list of daily activities, please navigate to the schedule tab, located at the top of this page.
No worries! We recorded the presentations and workshops for your viewing pleasure. Click the link below to access these videos.
Please tell us about your experience by taking a 1-minute survey.
Therapy has given me a safe space to be vulnerable. Through it, I have learned to cope with struggles that I feel like I have held onto for my entire life. It was a relief to finally talk about what I was going through with someone who could offer me real advice. It has given me confidence in myself and talking with my therapist allowed me to receive other resources to work on my mental health. As a person who has struggled with mental illness for close to ten years, I can say with confidence that therapy helps. It feels like a new beginning in my life; a new start. There is so much freedom to address your struggles without judgement. It has genuinely changed my life for the better and I recommend it to anyone who is going through something or anyone who isn’t.
-Bailey Hammett
When I got to Auburn, I was in a really bad place. I developed severe anxiety, and I didn’t have anyone to talk to about the struggles I was experiencing. In December, I decided that I needed to take hold of my life, so I signed up to see a therapist in the Student Counseling Office. Over the past 2 years, my therapist has been with me through some really tough times, and they have never once judged how I handled things or what I was going through. It is such a relief to have someone to talk to about difficult things without fear of judgement or ridicule. My struggles with depression rose to an all-time high because of the isolation I was experiencing during quarantine. My therapist sees me regularly break down on camera, but over the past 2 years I have learned to be more open and ask for help when I need it. I would absolutely recommend going to therapy, even if you think you don’t need it. The feeling of letting everything off your chest is one that can never be beat.
-Alyssa Allen
I always thought therapy would be very helpful, but it was the initial step of calling the counseling service center that took me the longest to do. It is scary to admit you need help, but therapy has been so eye opening. Therapy has been a place where I can talk to someone without basis and fear. I have only done therapy for a couple months, but I can definitely say I am a different person now than when I started. I have learned many things about myself and grown as a person. It makes me proud that I was strong enough to ask for help and it brings me confidence about where I am heading. Growth is uncomfortable, but therapy has shown me that it is okay to have struggles because it makes you more human.
-Anna Vu
Dealing with mental health issues can be really hard! I myself struggle with anxiety and depression most days of my life. I am on my own journey of healing and understanding myself, and I have found that counseling and creating are two extremely helpful resources. Having someone to talk to that understands what you are feeling and can give you the tools to help you can work wonders for improving your mental state. I would recommend counseling to pretty much everyone I know, as it gives you a chance to be vulnerable and dig deep into yourself in a safe and educated environment. I have also found that one of the best ways to combat anxiety is to channel my energy into something creative. When I feel panic encroaching, one of my most useful tactics is to focus my mind and hands on something physical, like painting or sewing. Concentrating on making something beautiful or useful can take your mind off of stressors and give you a sense of accomplishment. With this event, I hope to share this tactic with others who might be struggling with similar issues.
-Grace Moebes
Growing up, I never considered that I could possibly be dealing with Depression or Anxiety, as Mental health issues were not something that was discussed within my household. I was always taught that negative feelings and sad times were something that would eventually go away. I didn't know that there were counselors and therapists out there who really listened to the things you're going through, as well as provide actual plans to help you navigate your hard times. I'm so thankful that I discovered that therapy was something everyone could experience, and it didn't have to be some taboo thing that was only reserved for people with "real issues". Throughout therapy, I learned that no problem is greater than another, trauma comes in all shapes and sizes, and everyone deserves a chance to have their feelings heard. I would encourage anyone to try attending therapy at some point in their lives. It's not healthy to hold on to the things that make us feel bad, instead we should have a safe space explore the difficulties in our lives.
-Gianna Carter